New Year and new beginnings...

Well, Christmas kind of flew by and here we are now in the New Year 2013. It's the first year that I never went out to celebrate, I just stayed in with Terry, the dog and watched TV...must be getting old I guess!! Anyhow, the last week I've had time t reflect on what I must do for the year and after writing a list of things I do and adding a few more to that list I think I'm going to be pretty busy over the next 12 months.

Firstly, I've got 5 window boxes I have to finish building for a friend. It's one of those jobs that I wish I'd never taken on but as I'm into it for a lot of money in supplies, I really have to complete the job a.s.a.p. I then need to get the vegetable garden ship-shape for this year's produce. The greenhouse needs a complete clean-out and I need to create another raised bed for the runner beans. But first I need to collect some well-rotted horse manure for the existing beds.

This month will see the first of this years new chutneys, jellies and jams, but in the main I wait until the fruit or vegetables are in season. More on this as I make them...

The workshop is going to get a lot of use this year too with making frames for my paper sculptures, the new coastal art ones and other various subjects. Also I'm making a new batch of Murano glass hearts and beads. I shall have some new colours this year and some new shapes. I sold quite a few before Christmas to various guys for their wives presents and the earring and pendant sets were very popular, but I need to sell more throughout the year for birthdays, Valentines, weddings and anniversaries etc.

My series of coastal paintings is still in progress and I'm only on the second one so I definitely need to get my finger out on this one. Boy ! Who said you can relax when you retire?! I'm starting to realise I'm like my Father, he entitled his biography, "Too Many Irons", which is what his Mother always said to him, "You've got too many irons in the fire my boy!"

Apart from all this I have several websites to design and build for various people. One little thing I've just purchased, which I find quite amazing!! is a little attachment that i can connect to my iPhone or iPad to accept credit and debit card payments for all my products. It only cost £20 and its absolutely awesome!!!
 izettle.com (for those interested)